The word Operation Badar sounds like some
programme to create effective deterrence against foreign aggression.
However, it is an IT education programme launched under
the able guidance of Ziaullah Khan. The objective behind launching of Operation
Badar (OB) is to develop human resource through quality IT
education at affordable cost to all.

Ziaullah Khan has an obsession for producing
hundred and thousands of IT savvy. The biggest hurdle
was creating facilities needing millions of rupees. Ziaullah wanted to
accomplish his mission with the least investment. When he put the idea
of utilizing the facilities of existing institutions on off-days and
time, many of them accepted his point.

With the successful launching other institutions
are joining the OB programme, latest being the Circle of Information
Technology. This institute has been established by two IT savvy,
Ali Chinoy and Noor Mukaty. Both these professionals have studied and
worked abroad. They also 'owned' the philosophy by creating an
entirely new facility without being driven by money making objective,
the amount of money they can make under OB is far lesser than the
fortune they could have made by following the practices of most of
other IT schools in Pakistan.

A recent visit to the Circle of Information
Technology confirms the commitment of Ali and Noor. The Institute is
located in heart of Karachi city in a prestigious building. The
convenient location makes it easier for all — those go to school and
college or work somewhere. The Institute offers the advantage of
attending class at his/her convenience. Four computer labs have been
planned, each with 80 computers. Out of these two labs with 150
computers are fully operational and the other two will be ready
shortly. These labs have been equipped with 'branded' computers based
on Intel's P-3 microprocessor.

Looking at superior quality of infrastructure and
faculty, fees appears to be very low — compared to the amount being
charged by those institutes which do not have comparable
infrastructure. It works out around Rs 800 per month or Rs 15,000 for
six quarters. After completing each milestone, students passing the
examinations, will get five recognized certifications: 1) Sun
Certified Java Programmer, 2) Certified Java Solution Developer, 3)
Certified Java Enterprise Developer, 4) IBM Certified XML Developer
and Certified Microsoft C# (Sharp) Developer.

All these courses are aimed at achieving the
ultimate objective of e-commerce — a reality in the developed
countries. Pakistan is far behind the developed countries and even its
next door neighbour, India. In order to enable the country to
leapfrog, the effort is to break all taboos — minimum level of
education, grades and age. It is interesting to note that over 10,000
students have been enrolled under the OB in Karachi alone at various
institutes — Circle of Information Technology being the 9th.

Sponsors of the Circle of Information Technology
have a plan to invite students from various schools to spend a few
hours in a week to get an exposure to computers. The aim is to let
every child know the magic of computers. They want every Pakistani to
get acquainted to computer by providing IT education at
grass root level.